AMES, Iowa -- Dr. Nolan R. Hartwig, head of veterinary extension
at Iowa State University, has been named chair of the department
of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine in ISU's
College of Veterinary Medicine.

The appointment, announced by Richard F. Ross, dean of the College
of Veterinary Medicine, makes Hartwig the first person to chair
the newly named and restructured department. The new department
was created through a merger of three areas within the college --
the diagnostic laboratory, veterinary extension and the production
animal medicine section of clinical sciences.

"These three areas are on the front-line of serving the
specialized needs of the livestock industry in Iowa and the U.S.,"
Ross said. "By selecting Dr. Hartwig as chair, this vital
department will continue to grow and, as a college, we'll realize
our vision, which is to offer the very best in livestock teaching,
research and outreach."

The new department has 34 faculty and 100 staff members who teach
and conduct diagnostic, applied research, outreach and service
programs that benefit the livestock industry of the state and
nation.

"It really brings together the full package for production animal
medicine," Hartwig explained. "Within the department of veterinary
diagnostic and production animal medicine, we identify the problem
from the diagnostic side, then work with the veterinary
practitioner to provide solutions or remedies from the medicine
side. But just as important are the management strategies and on-
going information provided by our faculty, all of which affect the
health of the herd and the producer's profitability.

"This is an exciting time for the College of Veterinary Medicine,
and I can't think of a better place to be than in the leadership
of this department," Hartwig said. "Our new structure emphasizes
an interdisciplinary approach. By integrating team research,
teaching and service programs, we already see that we are bringing
a wider range of expertise to bear on disease and animal problems
in the food production industry."

Hartwig has been on the College of Veterinary Medicine faculty and
has been in charge of extension veterinary medicine since 1983. He
accepted a broader assignment in 1995-96 when he served as interim
vice provost and director for the ISU Extension Service.

Earlier this year Hartwig was appointed to the Animal Health
Advisory Committee for the American Farm Bureau. He specializes in
beef, dairy and sheep medicine and currently serves as interim
director of the Iowa Beef Center at ISU.

Hartwig is a 1964 graduate of Iowa State's College of Veterinary
Medicine. After five years in private veterinary practice in
Perry, he worked on the regulatory side with the Food Safety and
Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He
earned a master's degree in preventive medicine from Ohio State
University in 1973 and is board certified as a diplomate in the
American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. Hartwig was on
the faculty in the department of veterinary preventive medicine at
Ohio State University from 1974 to 1983.